Book Sale in the Library starts December 7!

Just in time for holiday reading, we’re bringing out hundreds of books for you to recycle as gifts, or to fill your own bookshelf. You’ll find fiction and nonfiction in many subject areas. Most books are $1 unless marked. The sale will continue during our weekday and weekend hours and ends on December 20^th.

Government Depository Anniversary

This year marks the 50^th anniversary of North Central Michigan College Library being appointed by Congress as a Federal Depository Library for US government documents. Currently, the library receives about 24% of the items made available by the Government Printing Office (GPO). We try to select those items that are relevant to the fields of study offered at NCMC.

Many of the items we receive include: books, pamphlets, magazines, microfiche, maps and CD-roms; covering such topics as: statistics, legislative materials, census reports, Congressional hearings, politics, law, business, education, crime and criminal justice, health and medicine, science and technology, arts and humanities, income tax, Social Security and Veteran’s benefits, small business, citizenship and immigration, federal grants, travel and recreation, as well as nutrition and exercise. We also have access to many electronic documents that are not available in print.

That’s a LOT of different topics isn’t it? Were there a few covered that you didn’t expect to see? I know I was surprised the first time I learned about the contents of our depository! The books are not just about politics, but have beautiful photos and art, as well as speeches made by the presidents, all sorts of maps and studies, and even videos. We have information from all government departments, including the military as well as the office of the vice president and the president. And best of all? ALL of these items are in our card catalog and CAN BE CHECKED OUT!!! Just like a regular library book!! We are constantly getting shipments in, so all the information is kept up-to-date.

Come on in and take a look at the display of Government Documents near the entrance. This is only a sampling of what we have available to you? Need help navigating the depository? Not a problem! Just ask at the desk and we are more than glad to help. 

Nicole Cook, Gov Docs Assistant

Banned Books Week

This year, 2012, Banned Books Week is September 30th through October 6th. This campaign, founded in 1982 and co-sponsored by the American Library Association, celebrates the freedom to read.

Why are books banned?

Books have been banned for different reasons throughout time. The most common reasons have been vulgar language, gratuitous violence and sex, and contrary social and political ideas. Books have also been challenged in schools because of their morbid and depressing themes.

Where are books most commonly banned?

Attempts are made to ban books in schools and in libraries. Sometimes books are challenged by parents who believe that their children should not be made to read a certain book as part of the school’s curriculum. Other times a book may be challenged throughout a school or library because someone or some group believes that no one should be allowed to read the book.

Books are banned in many countries outside of the US because they clash with that country's cultural, social, political, or religious beliefs.

The following is a link to the ALA's list of frequently challenged classics.

http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/challengedclassics/reasonsbanned

What do you think?  Is there ever a situation where a book should be banned? Should books have to meet standards of age appropriateness, similar to the movie rating system, to be utilized in schools? Are there ideas that should not be promoted, such as racism, violence or certain religious views?

Is there a difference between challenging the book Satanic Verses in the Wichita Kansas Public Library because the book is "blasphemous to the prophet Mohammed" and Slaughterhouse Five being removed as required reading for sophomores at a high school in Rhode Island after a parent complained that the book contains vulgar language, violent imagery, and sexual content?

Have you read any of the books from the frequently banned books list? What do you think? Was the book appropriate for everyone? If you believe a book should be banned, who should be able to make that decision and for whom?

Banned Books Week Links:

http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/

http://lib.calpoly.edu/books/banned/infographic.php

http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek

You're Back and We're Glad!

Even though it still seems like summer, the library saw lots of activity on the first day of school. It's great to see familiar faces and meet new students who are stopping in to check out books and find a cozy study spot. We're planning some improvements to enhance your research and reading experience, and as always, are here to help you, so let us know what you need.